All USA USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA); USA Compact Free Associations:The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA)
Important Dates
LOI Date: 03/29/23 Deadline: 08/15/23 3:00 PM ET
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Grant Description
Prizes and in-kind support to USA and territories municipalities, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations for collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life and health of residents. Applicants are required to submit a letter of intent prior to a full application. The purpose of this program is to recognize communities working on the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize (“the Prize”) honors the work of communities that foster health and well-being for all by addressing systemic inequities. In the 10 years since it launched, the Prize has recognized more than 50 communities across the country that are at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. The Prize serves to inspire change and highlight community-led solutions that are breaking down the barriers to health and well-being caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.
The Prize shines a light on communities that are paving the way to health equity, from cities and counties to tribes and regions. Every community’s journey and strategies are unique, but across the board, Prize communities create and sustain a Culture of Health through deep cross-sector partnerships, efforts led by those directly affected by inequities, and sustainable solutions that address policy, systems, and environmental factors.
Selection Criteria:
Addressing structural racism and other structural injustices to create conditions that advance health equity
Committing to sustainable policy, systems, environmental, and cultural changes
Working alongside partners across sectors, and elevating the expertise and solutions held by people with firsthand experiences of health inequities
Engaging in cultural work that celebrates community and envisions and advances a more just future
Making the most of available community resources and fostering sustainability
Measuring and sharing qualitative and quantitative indicators of progress in culturally relevant ways
For more information about these criteria, see page 5 of the Funding Opportunity document in RFP & Supporting Documents.
Eligible applicants must represent one of the following:
- City, town, village, borough, or other municipality with a publicly elected governing body;
- County or parish;
- Federally recognized tribe or a state-designated American Indian reservation;
- Native Hawaiian organization serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders in Hawaii;
- Region, defined as geographically contiguous municipalities, counties, and/or reservations.
Partnership within communities is at the heart of the Prize. To be eligible, applicants should represent multiple unique organizations whose partnership predates the Prize application.
Types of organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Businesses
- Community coalitions
- Community development organizations
- Government agencies or departments
- Grassroots and advocacy organizations
- Hospital or healthcare organizations
- Local and regional foundations
- Nonprofit community-based organizations
- Resident groups
- Schools
To be eligible for the Prize, applications must designate a local U.S. government entity or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity operating within the community to accept the $250,000 Prize on the community’s behalf should they win. Community partners can decide together how to use the unrestricted funds to benefit the community; budget reports on Prize expenditures are not required.
Ineligible
Funds may not be used for political election activities.
Pre-Proposal Conference
February 16, 2023 (2:00 p.m. ET)
Optional applicant webinar. Webinar recording will be available on the RWJF website for interested applicants not able to attend live session.
Key Dates & Deadlines
- March 29, 2023 (3 p.m. ET): All applications due. Please direct any technological inquiries to HRiA at least 24 hours in advance of the deadline.
- Week of May 8th: Applicants will be notified whether or not they are selected as finalists and interviews will be scheduled with those selected.
- June 2023: Interviews and either in-person or virtual site visits will be conducted by a review team with selected finalist applicant communities.
- October/November, 2023: National announcement and celebration of winners.
Phase II (May 15 to August 15, 2023)— Up to 15 communities will be invited to advance in the process and engage in site visits. RWJF will provide detailed guidance to selected communities at that time. A review team will conduct site visits with selected finalist applicant communities to further discuss their applications and how their accomplishments align with the Prize selection criteria. Site visits will be in person, pending any necessary virtual accommodations depending on COVID-19 and other public health safety measures at that time.
In fall 2023, RWJF will announce and have a celebration of the Prize-winning communities. Following the selection process, Prize-winning communities will collaborate with RWJF, Health Resources in Action (HRiA), and Spitfire Strategies staff to prepare for the national announcement and celebration of Prize winners.
In 2023, RWJF will select winning communities through a competitive selection process to receive a range of resources and supports including the following:
- A $250,000 Prize.
- National and local promotion of communities’ stories that will inspire others’ efforts.
- Training to enhance outreach to media, policymakers, advocacy networks, and grassroots organizations.
- Opportunities to expand networks by connecting with other Prize communities as well as national and local leaders working to build a Culture of Health.
- Access to technical assistance, coaching, and workshops to enable Prize winners to accelerate their progress.
